Nail polish remover exists because nail polish can be, um, well, tough to remove. But nail polish’s durability also makes it quite useful in a number of interesting ways.

We came across an article from Reader’s Digest that lists 38 clever uses for nail polish. There are a few major themes running through the list: Because it’s hard to remove, you can use dark-colored nail polish to put marks on objects, such as making poison labels or marking sports gear (like golf balls). You can use clear nail polish to prevent smudging, and also use it to prevent rust and to provide a seal.

We pulled out some of the uses that caught our eye, but we recommend clicking through the link at the bottom of this post to view all 38 uses, as well as a few tips for how best to store the durable substance.

Around the House

• Seal an Envelope – “…Brush a little nail polish along the underside of the flap, seal it, and it won’t even open over a teakettle…”
• Smudgeproof Important Drug Labels – “Reserve the important information on your prescription medicine and other important medicine labels with a coat of clear polish, and they won’t be smudged as you grab them after getting your glass of water.”
• Prevent Rusty Toilet Seat Screws – “If you’re installing a new toilet seat, keep those screws from quickly rusting. Paint them with a coat or two of clear nail lacquer…”
• Protect Your Belt Buckle’s Shine – “Cover new or just-shined belt buckles with a coat of clear polish. You’ll prevent oxidation and guarantee a gleaming first impression.”
• Paint Shaker Holes to Restrict Salt – “If your favorite saltshaker dispenses a little too generously, paint a few of the holes shut with nail polish…”
• Seal Out Scuffs on Shoes – “On leather shoes, it’s the back and toes that really take the brunt of the wear and tear that leaves scratches on the surface…Paint a little clear nail polish on the outside of the back seam and over the toes. Rub the polish in a little to feather out the shine of the polish. After it dries, you’ll be a step ahead of those perennial shoe problems ‘driver’s heel’ and ‘jump rope toe.'”
• Keep Laces from Unraveling – “…Dip the ends in clear nail polish and twist the raveled ends together. Repair laces in the evening so that the polish will dry overnight…”

In the Sewing Room

• Make Needle Threading Easier – “…Try dragging the cut thread end through the application brush of nail polish once or twice, and then roll the thread end between your thumb and forefinger. It will dry in a second, and your thread end stays stiff enough to thread in a flash…”
• Stop a Run in Your Hose – “…you can stop runs permanently and prolong the life of fragile stockings with a dab of clear nail polish. Simply apply polish to each end of a run (no need to remove hose), and let it dry. This invisible fix stops runs, and lasts through many hand launderings.”

Making Repairs

• Stop a Windshield Crack from Spreading – “If you’ve developed a small crack in your windshield, stop it cold with some clear polish. Working in the shade, brush the crack on both sides of the glass with polish to fill it well. Move the car into the sun so the windshield can dry. You will eventually need to repair your windshield, but this will give you time to shop around for the best estimate.”
• Fill Small Nicks on Floors and Glass – “Have the children been playing hockey on your hardwood floors? Fill those little nicks by dabbing them with some clear nail polish. It will dry shiny, so sand the spot gently with some 600-grit sandpaper…”
• Keep Chipped Car Paint from Rusting – “If your car suffers small dings and chips, you can keep them from rusting or enlarging by dabbing clear nail polish onto the damaged areas.”
• Mend Holes in Window Screens – “You notice a small hole has been poked in your window or door screen. If the hole is no more than about 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) in diameter, you can block the bugs and keep the hole from getting bigger by dabbing on a bit of clear nail polish.”
• Tighten Loose Screws – “You’re not rough with your drawers and cabinets, but you find yourself tightening certain pull screws once too often. Keep them in place by brushing a little clear polish on the screw threads, insert the screws, and let dry before using again. This is also a great solution if you’ve been keeping a Phillips screwdriver in the kitchen for loose pot handles. You can also use clear nail polish to keep nuts on machine screws or bolts from coming loose, and if you need to take the nuts off, a twist with a wrench will break the seal.”

To read the full article and view all 38 tips, click the link below.

Nail Polish uses (Reader’s Digest)

Do you know of any other clever uses for nail polish? Please share with the Tip Hero community by posting a comment below!